GERMANY–(ENEWSPF)–5 December 2011. “We confirm NATO’s commitment to its Enduring Partnership with Afghanistan throughout transition and beyond, as part of the wider International Community’s effort” Ambassador Bisogniero, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, said at the International Conference on Afghanistan today.
The Conference, which was held in Bonn, Germany, marked the 10th annniversary of the 2001 Bonn Conference. Representatives from 86 countries and 15 international organisations reflected on the substantial progress achieved over the past ten years of their engagement in Afghanistan. “For Afghanistan, the past ten years have brought opportunity, growth and improvement in people’ s lives on a scale never before seen in our history”, said President Karzai during his opening remarks.
In Bonn, participants agreed to deepen and broaden the partnership between Afghanistan and the International Community founded ten years ago. The Afghan Government and the International Community also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to a stable and democratic Afghanistan, outlined by the Kabul Process, through and beyond 2014 in the areas of governance, security, the peace process, economic development and regional cooperation.
Representatives nevertheless recognised that there remains much work ahead, stressing that shortcomings must be addressed and achievements upheld.
“We have the momentum. But this will take a lot of work and great commitment from the Afghan government, from ISAF and from the whole international community”. Ambassador Bisogniero stressed.
They committed themselves to meet this challenge towards 2014 and beyond.
“We are determined that Afghanistan will never again fall to the hands of those who will turn it into a source of threat and harm to others. We want our country to be a genuine asset to security and peace in an integrated region. This is the vision of every Afghan”, said President Karzai.
Source: nato.int
